Home Secretary to Deploy Expert 'Crack Squads' in Major Police Overhaul
In a significant shift for law enforcement accountability, the Home Secretary is set to receive new powers to dispatch specialist teams into failing police forces. The reforms, to be unveiled next week, represent the most substantial changes to policing structures in decades.
Direct Intervention Powers for Ministers
Under the forthcoming White Paper from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, ministers will gain authority to intervene directly in under-performing forces. This includes the ability to send what the Home Office describes as 'crack squads' of senior officers from top-performing forces to drive improvements in struggling areas.
The Home Office spokesman confirmed: 'Ministers will be handed new powers to intervene directly in failing forces, sending in specialist teams to turn them around so they fight crime more effectively.'
These expert teams could focus on specific performance metrics such as improving crime detection rates or enhancing emergency response times. The measures follow earlier announcements this month that the Home Secretary would gain powers to directly dismiss chief constables, prompted by criticism of West Midlands Police's handling of the Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Birmingham last year.
Return to Centralised Performance Targets
The reforms mark a notable departure from previous policy, reintroducing centralised performance targets that have been largely avoided since the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown administrations. Chief constables will now be required to meet minimum thresholds across several key areas.
These new standards will include:
- 999 emergency response times
- Victim satisfaction levels
- Public trust and confidence measures
The Home Office spokesman emphasised: 'These results will be published and forces graded so communities can compare performance across different regions.'
Statutory Powers for Inspectorate
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services will receive enhanced statutory authority under the new framework. The inspectorate will gain powers to issue formal directions to forces that fail to implement their recommendations, strengthening oversight mechanisms.
Additionally, the reforms will introduce robust mandatory vetting procedures for police officers, responding to recent high-profile cases of officer misconduct and corruption that have damaged public confidence in policing.
Radical Force Restructuring
In parallel developments, the number of police forces in England and Wales is set to be dramatically reduced through a series of mergers. The existing 43 forces will undergo consolidation into potentially as few as 10 regional forces, representing the most extensive restructuring since the 1960s.
Each new regional force will specialise in investigating complex crimes such as murder and organised criminal networks. However, within these larger structures, 'local policing areas' will be established to maintain community focus on issues like shoplifting, mobile phone theft, and anti-social behaviour.
The Home Office believes this consolidation will generate significant savings on administrative functions, allowing resources to be redirected toward neighbourhood policing initiatives. An independent review will determine the final number of forces, though concerns have been raised about substantial initial costs and the considerable time commitment required from senior officers during the transition period.
Historical Context and Implementation
This represents the latest chapter in policing reform discussions that have spanned more than two decades. The last major structural changes occurred between 1964 and 1966, when the number of forces was reduced from 158 to the current 43.
A previous attempt to reduce forces to 24 in 2005 was abandoned the following year by then Home Secretary John Reid. The current proposals therefore represent a renewed effort to address long-standing concerns about police efficiency and effectiveness.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated: 'It is essential that the people can determine what they expect from their forces. I will make police forces accountable to parliament – driving up standards so they fight more crime in their communities.'
The comprehensive reform package, scheduled for announcement on Monday, aims to create a more accountable, effective, and transparent policing system across England and Wales.
